Thorpe Among UA Combine Standouts

Don Callahan

04/19/2010

CHARLOTTE --- North Carolina commitment T.J. Thorpe posted top five finishes in two events at the Under Armour Combine on Sunday.

Nearly 225 recruits participated in the combine, which was conducted at the Carolina Panthers' Practice Facility. The setting couldn't have been more ideal – a cloudless sky under the Charlotte skyline with a perfect spring temperature and a slight breeze.

Thorpe finished in the combine's top five in the 20-yard shuttle (4.25 seconds) and L-Cone (7.11 seconds). His 40-yard dash time (4.67 seconds) at 5-foot-11 ½ and 175 pounds wasn't impressive, but proves he is more quick than fast and excels when changing direction.

"I didn't get out as good as I wanted to, but it's still a pretty solid time," Morris said. "I've ran on this [surface] before, but I don't really like it."

Morris measured in at 5-foot-8 3/4 and 173 pounds.

The last time he showed off his speed at a combine (4.32 seconds at the Nike Combine), Morris received his first scholarship offer approximately a week later. He's currently up to seven offers – Arkansas, East Carolina, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.

Middleton was among the standouts during one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills. He had a total of three interceptions on the day – one during one-on-ones and two during seven-on-sevens.

"I think I did pretty well today," Middleton said. "Most of the receivers I went up against are real good. I'm competing with the best, so I have to play my best."

At 5-foot-11 ¼ and 173 pounds, Middleton is bigger and longer than most defensive backs, which works in his favor.

"It's easier for me to stay with the receiver," Middleton said. "I can easily out-jump the receiver, because of my height and I have quick make-up speed."

In combine events, Middleton had a 4.69-second 40-yard dash and a 32-inch vertical jump.

Middleton is awaiting his first scholarship offer, but believes Duke, East Carolina, and UNC are close to offering.

Last Tuesday, Middleton, his mom, and his teammate Chris Hairston visited Duke and UNC. While in Chapel Hill, they spent time with Troy Douglas, UNC's defensive back coach.

"He showed me the facilities and told me what I need to do to get that offer," Middleton said. "They want me to come up in camp and do what I did today."

Middleton says the schools he likes the most are Duke, Illinois, UNC, and South Carolina.

Thompson Brown
Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher

Pound-for-pound, Brown had the day's top performance in combine events. Besides posting the combine's top broad jump of 121 inches, at 6-foot-3 ¾ and 221 pounds, he registered a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 4.29-second 20-yard shuttle, a 32.5-inch vertical jump, and 7.44-second L-Cone.

Other notes: Drew Owens has pushed his decision timetable back from the end of the summer to around Signing Day. The Charlotte (N.C.) Ardrey Kell tight end continues to list Clemson, UNC, NC State, and South Carolina as his favorite schools. He plans to take all five of his official visits… Nigel King was in attendance and had hoped to participate, but couldn't under doctor's orders. He was in a car accident Monday and suffered a concussion. He's prohibited from participating in any physical activity, including lifting and conditioning, for two weeks… One of the biggest surprises during one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills was Morgan Roberts. The Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day quarterback threw an accurate, catchable ball with impressive mechanics… DaMarcus Bell believes the Evaluation Period, which begins Monday, will be fruitful for him. Several schools plan to visit Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley High to see the defensive tackle in-person and pick up film, including Clemson, ECU, Georgia Tech, UNC, NC State, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wake Forest… A few Carolina Panthers stopped by the combine, including DeAngelo Williams, Tyrell Sutton, and former Matthews (N.C.) Butler and Wake Forest great Kenny Moore.